Would You Run this Red ?
12-19-08, 07:34 PM
#1
Galveston County Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Would You Run this Red ?
55 Mph Speed Limit.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
12-19-08, 07:38 PM
#2
Older than dirt
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I wouldn't, but then I don't run red lights unless my presense doesn't cause them to change.
You're free to do what you want to do, but I'm of the mindset that if I want the same rights as the cagers out there I'll abide by their laws. Which means that since I wouldn't run it in a car (would you??) then I won't on a bike.
-R
You're free to do what you want to do, but I'm of the mindset that if I want the same rights as the cagers out there I'll abide by their laws. Which means that since I wouldn't run it in a car (would you??) then I won't on a bike.
-R
12-19-08, 07:41 PM
#3
Senior Member
Depends on traffic. But probably, at times, if the traffic is light and/or my bike doesn't trigger the light well. OTOH, if there is significant traffic, then no, probably not.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
12-19-08, 07:42 PM
#4
Senior Member
If the sensor didn't work, it would have to be extra clear, then I might. I might also dismount and walk it to the left.
12-19-08, 07:46 PM
#6
Senior Member
12-19-08, 08:05 PM
#8
You gonna eat that?
Shame, shame!
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-19-08, 08:16 PM
#9
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Shame, shame if you have not reported the problem multiple times to your local traffic engineer. Carry a copy of this correspondence, in case you ever do get harrassed by law enforcement.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
12-19-08, 08:18 PM
#10
Galveston County Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
The State Police Has an office on the left side of this intersection.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
12-19-08, 08:20 PM
#11
call me T.J.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 361
Bikes: trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a very similar light on my way to work: a left-turn with an arrow, and I have not been able to trigger the green arrow with my bike.
I wouldn't feel comfortable riding right through the light, since it's 55-mph, 4-lane, and divided.
I stop for the red light and wait for one green cycle (on the straight lane) for a car to come up and trigger the green. If no car comes along by the second green I turn left once it's clear.
Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red, does it only turn red when someone's making a left? Me, I wouldn't blow through the light, but I would turn through it after waiting a little bit.
I wouldn't feel comfortable riding right through the light, since it's 55-mph, 4-lane, and divided.
I stop for the red light and wait for one green cycle (on the straight lane) for a car to come up and trigger the green. If no car comes along by the second green I turn left once it's clear.
Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red, does it only turn red when someone's making a left? Me, I wouldn't blow through the light, but I would turn through it after waiting a little bit.
12-19-08, 08:24 PM
#12
Galveston County Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Does your oncoming straight lane never turn red?
Yes, the traffic was very heavy, so we didn't want to be sitting ducks waiting for something to Happen..
Yes, the traffic was very heavy, so we didn't want to be sitting ducks waiting for something to Happen..
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
12-19-08, 09:08 PM
#14
call me T.J.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 361
Bikes: trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, you're pretty out in the open there; I have the advantage of the lane divider to wait next to.
I think I'd run it, but I'd be pretty careful and I think I'd be more likely to treat it as a stop sign than to just blow through it.
Stay safe!
I think I'd run it, but I'd be pretty careful and I think I'd be more likely to treat it as a stop sign than to just blow through it.
Stay safe!
12-19-08, 09:23 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: sebtown
Posts: 192
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know about texas, but in California that might be concidered an 'unmarked crosswalk". so doing the dismount ped thing would be legal. But I assume there is no push button for ped so that probably wouldn't work either.
Would call the public works department and telling them that the signal doesn't trip for bike do any good or just get laughter from the person at the other end.
Would call the public works department and telling them that the signal doesn't trip for bike do any good or just get laughter from the person at the other end.
12-19-08, 10:23 PM
#16
Twincities MN
Jeezuz now you have photographic evidence of all you guys commiting a moving violation. Not to mention some hater will use it to spread more hate.
__________________
www.marrow.org
www.marrow.org
12-19-08, 10:58 PM
#17
Team Fat Boy
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 194
Bikes: Bridgestone MB3 Commuter, Surly Long Haul Trucker, and Custom Ti roadbike by High Ti Cycles
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If the signal won't trip for a bicycle then it is, by definition, defective.
I would stop, wait an appropriate time to ensure that the sensor loop was, in fact defective, and then I would proceed when it was safe to do so - just like I would if I was driving my car.
I would not characterize this as "running" a light.
I would stop, wait an appropriate time to ensure that the sensor loop was, in fact defective, and then I would proceed when it was safe to do so - just like I would if I was driving my car.
I would not characterize this as "running" a light.
12-19-08, 11:07 PM
#18
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Posts: 7,902
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Hang out in 55mph traffic ?!?!
Yeah right........
I wouldnt think twice about running it.
My safety comes first.
Yeah right........
I wouldnt think twice about running it.
My safety comes first.
12-19-08, 11:10 PM
#19
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
It looks like cyclist #2 (black shorts, silver & red jersey) is commited to cutting his left awfully close in front of the oncoming truck if it is actually going 55 mph. It also looks like the rider on his right, and the one behind him, probably had to wait for the truck to pass. If this is truly the case, and all riders couldn't safely make the turn, it's probably better for all to wait. Seeing two riders cut a last second left, and wondering if the others are going to follow, wouldn't appear very predictable from the drivers perspective.
12-19-08, 11:14 PM
#20
----
How is it any different than being on a motorcycle or a car at that same light? I'd think you were pretty visible stopped at that light. If the bicycle doesn't trigger the light is it on any other automatic cycle that would change it?
How are you at any greater risk stopped at that light than riding on that road by "taking the lane" and riding vehicularly?
All that being said I really can't say what I'd do at that light. Especially given that it is not triggered by the bike's presence. If the OP rides that road all the time and he runs it I'd be inclined to trust his judgement.
edit: though on second look if I were that guy on the trike I'd stop before I followed the other 3 cyclists through the red for fear I'd end up as a part of the undercarriage of that oncoming truck.
Last edited by buzzman; 12-19-08 at 11:19 PM.
12-19-08, 11:21 PM
#21
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
You're not. Being in a designated left turn lane means that the only traffic entering that lane will also be preparing to turn, and/or stopping for the red light.
12-19-08, 11:27 PM
#23
Don we now our
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Francisco - USA
Posts: 146
Bikes: Felt F1X & Giant TCR Composite 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That looks like a pretty nasty place to sit and wait. If there were cars coming, I'd be inclined to wait for the light. If it were dark, though, I'd probably want to get the hell out of there.
12-19-08, 11:35 PM
#24
----
Originally Posted by Lot'sKnife
Cars, motorcycles, bicycles get rear-ended all the time. So you're right: It's not different.
I think the cyclists are in more danger running the red from the oncoming vehicle that, as Almost Trick rightly points out, may be confused by seeing a green light and several cyclists running it and not knowing if those last few will run it or not. Kind of a bad chemistry for an accident. The lead cyclist should recognize that running the light may split the group and were I in the lead I would have stopped. On group rides often the less experienced and more exhausted riders are at the back of the group and might be inclined to make a wrong decision in such circumstances.
